There are meals that I crave to eat again. The ones that not only tasted delicious but also had a story to them are the ones I crave the most. When I was in college I decided to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa for six months and I was blow away by the food. One of my favorite experiences was braai and that served as the inspiration for my Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak recipe.
If you like steak recipes, you may also enjoy my Flank Steak Pinwheels, my Steak au Poivre or my Flank Steak with Pan Gravy recipes.
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What is Braai
The term braai is from South Africa and is both a type of grilling and a form of social gathering. Stemming from the Africans word Braaivleis (Roasted Meat) a Braai (pronounced Bry) is similar to a barbecue in the United States.
Grilling: Braai is typically a variety of grilled meats. Similar to a US barbecue, there is not one particular type of meat or spice, but common meats include beef, boerewors, chicken among others.
Cultural Impact: The main difference in my personal experience between an American barbecue and a South African Braai is the culture surrounding it. A braai is a social gathering where friends and family come together and grill meat on the same grill, share the same experience in making the food and eat together. This article is South African and goes more in depth about what a braai is and the social aspects of a braai.
This recipe for Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak is inspired, meaning I drew inspiration from my experiences abroad, but it is not a traditional recipe that you would find in South Africa. Hopefully those outside of South Africa will try this recipe and want to experience more in the future.
What is Braai Spicing?
When I think of a braai, I think of the robust flavor from the meat. Whether I went to a friend's home or to Mzoli's in Gugulethu, the meat was always cooked fresh and seasoned with a delicious blend of spices. In this recipe I used a mix of paprika, coriander, garlic, cumin and more to create a strong tasting blend. There is no set spice blend for braai, however many of these spices are common in braai spice blends.
How to cook a t-bone steak
To make this steak I assembled the dry rub and then rubbed it all over the steak, making sure to get every surface. I used my cast iron to cook it so that I could get a great sear and crust. I heated my skillet on a high temp with a bit of vegetable oil, then placed the steak in. It cooks quickly, about 4 minutes per a side. I then let it rest for about five minutes before slicing and serving.
While braai is done on the grill (and you are more than welcome to grill this recipe), I've unfortunately live in an apartment in a city so having a grill is not an option so I've made an indoor rendition.
What to serve with Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak
This steak would go great with a green vegetable such as roasted brussel sprouts, steamed broccoli, or starchy side like mashed potatoes. Or if you really wanted to go full out South African for this meal, a side of pap (a maize porridge) is an absolute must!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 T-Bone Steak
- 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
- ½ Tbsp Salt
- ½ Tbsp Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tsp Paprika
- 2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 Tsp Ground Coriander
- 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tsp Cumin
- 1 Tsp Ground Cloves
- 1 Tsp Nutmeg
- 1 Tsp Allspice
Equipment Needed
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Tongs
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
Storage Tips
Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, either warm in the microwave or on the stovetop in a skillet; heat until warmed through.
Braai Dry Rubbed T-Bone Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 T-Bone Steak
- 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
Dry Rub
- ½ Tbsp Salt
- ½ Tbsp Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tsp Paprika
- 2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 Tsp Ground Coriander
- 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tsp Cumin
- 1 Tsp Ground Cloves
- 1 Tsp Nutmeg
- 1 Tsp Allspice
Instructions
- Prepare dry rub by combining all ingredients into a large bowl and stirring until fully incorporated
- Coat steak with dry rub until all surfaces are covered
- Heat a skillet on high heat with oil. Place steak in skillet and cook for about 4 minutes per a side or until desired doneness. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Arya's Corner
We gave up on using our collapsible hampers because Arya treated them like a toy. Fast forward a few months and they are now her actual toys. Cats are weird, but hey at least this "toy" is an easy one.
About Michelle
Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!
Karyl Henry says
I just finished eating dinner, and this steak is making my mouth water! Iv'e become a big fan of making steak in the cast iron. I love how nicely it sears, and how well it retains heat. This looks fabulous
Hannah Healy says
Oh wow, this looks amazing! Love that crispy outer layer!
Jen says
Gorgeous steak! Definitely one to share. Interested in the Allspice- never tried that on steak before!
Mahy Elamin says
Oh, my husband loves steaks. This is the perfect recipe for him. He can eat it every day. I think now your recipe will be one of our favorites. Looks very tasty and succulent.
Dan Zehr says
Oh God, your recipe drives me crazy! This is really a great job! The unique recipe is perfect for my family. Looks very tasty! I am going to make this! This recipe really impresses! I really like! Thank you.
Claudia Lamascolo says
Tbones are my husbands favorite me I love my filet and that one side, I always leave the other! LOL this rub will be my next try !
Marisa Franca says
We are meat eaters pure and simple!! Nothing like a grilled piece of delicious steak and yes when we grill we all socialize outside with our beverages -- adult and otherwise. We do like our dry rubs -- yours sounds delicious.
Lauren Vavala says
I just love learning about the food of other cultures and their methods pf preparation! The recipe sounds delicious - my fiance will love it!
Veena Azmanov says
I Love dry rubs on my stake as well. This looks so good. Love the flavors you have here. Very warm spice mix. Must be perfect for this season too. Perfection.
Jessica Formicola says
I love a good steak, and this t bone looks incredible! I will definitely be making it for dinner this week!
Neli Howard says
LOVE this method! This steak looks perfectly tender and juicy!!
Tara says
Such a gorgeous steak! I love when memories are attached to the food as well. This sounds incredible paired with maize porridge.
Cate says
This steak looks absolutely delicious! Such an easy and tasty looking recipe, can't wait to make it!
Courtney says
We all loved the seasoning on this steak - it totally reminded me of my time in South African.
Sara Welch says
This was everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! So delicious and bold; worthy of a restaurant, indeed!